Ignition apparatus for automobiles and the like.



R. H. CUNNINGHAM.

IGNITION APPARATUS FOR AUTOMOBILES AND THE LIKE. APPLICATION YILED JULY 13, 1912.

1, 1 27, 1 97. I Patenta Feb. 2, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

e. i 2 ywamoz R. H. CUNNINGHAM. IGNITION APPARATUS TOT. AUTOMOBILES ANO THT LIKE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 13, 1912.

1,127,197. Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

RICHARD H. CUNNINGHAM-or New YORK, N. Y.

IeNiTIoN Henares iron AUToMoB'II-.Es AND THE Like.

specilcation of Letters Patent.

Patentedreb. e, 1915.

Application med my 1s. 1912. serial No. 709,215.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, RICHARD H. CUN- NINGHAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of New York, in the borough of Manhattan' and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ignition Apparatus for Lutomobiles and the like, of which the f ollowing is a full, clear, and exact descr1ption.

This invention relates to ignition apparatus for internal combustion engines such as are 4vused on automobiles, and the like, and more particularly to a combined switch, induction coil and container adapted to be mounted upon and concealed in the dashboard of such vehicles.

It has for one of its objects the simplification of devices of this character whereby the several elements thereof are rendered more accessible and alsowhereby in the event of any part becoming impaired, as for example if the induction coil insulation becomes electrically perforated or broken down, the windings thereof can be readily removed and replaced with others, if desired, without necessitating the waste of other and adjacent elements or material.

I have further aimed to improve the magnetic field of the coil and to facilitate air cooling of the iron parts of said coil.

The preferred construction embodies novel switch parts which are particularly well adapted to the principal ends sought,- namely, simplicity and compactness of the device as a whole, and the provision of a substantial and waterproof construction adapted to withstand rough usage, vibration and moisture.

These and other objects of the invention will be hereinafter referred to and the novel elements and combination of elements whereby they are attained will be more particularly set forth in the claims appended hereto. l

In the drawings which form a part hereof and in which like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, I have exemplified a preferred construction, but I am aware that various changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and hence desire to be limited only by the scope of said claims.

Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 is a vertical median section of a combined switch, coil and container. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the switch end of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail of the switch showing the disposition of the spring contacts therein; the switch cap being removed. Fig. 3'* is a fragmentary detail section of an insulating disk upon which said contacts are mounted; the section being taken on line III- III of Fig. 3. Fig. 4 is an elevation of the inner side of the switch cap. Fig. 5 is an elevation of the opposite end of the structure, the protective insulating covers being removed. Fig. 6 is a somewhat diagrammatic perspective view of the device showing the electrical connections between the switch, induction coil, condensers and'binding posts. Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the device, drawn to a smaller scale, and with the switch-cap' removed. Fig. 8 is a transverse section taken on line VIII-VIII of Fig. 1.

The preferred construction comprises a flanged switch-cap 1 of metal or other suitable material, the flange thereof being perforated, asV at 2, for the reception of screws 3 whereby it may be secured to a base 4. Additional holes 2 are also provided for screws 3 of sufiicient length to extend through both the ange and base into the dashboard to which the base is thereby secured.

The cap 1 is hollow and its outer side is apertured at 5, but this aperture is closed by a disk 6 which is pressed, not too tightly, outward against an inwardly projecting flange 7. The disk 6 carries upon one side thereof an operating handle S and on the other an insulating selector disk 9 of fiber,

or the like, these three parts being secured together by screws 10, or the like. The handle is massive so that it may be struck by the foot of the o erator, if desired, without possibility of injury thereto` and as it is rotated it carries around the fiber disk 9 in which are inserted arcuate Contact strips 11 and 12; the latter being flush with the inner side of the fiber disk, as indicated in Fig. 1.

The edge of the disk 9 is notched at 13 for the reception of the extremityv of a locking bolt 14 mounted in an extension 15 of the cap 1. This extension for convenience of manufacture may be made separate from the cap, proper. and may be secured thereof the spindle which pro] to in any suitable fashion. It consists preferably of two blocks 16 and 17, screwed together; the formerbeing solid and the latter bored for the reception of a spindle 18, having an eccentric portion 19 positioned to bear against the head of the bolt 14. The

latter is normally pressed outwardly by a` spring 20 into engagement with the eccentric so that as the latteris rotated the bolt is drawn inwardly, or spring pressed out-A To relieve the detent from' undue strain,l

the handle 8 is adapted for engagement at the respective ends of A heads of the screws 2 respectively disposed serving as stops.

on either side thereof, said screws ihence at 26 yand a spring 27 thereinA normally pushes outwardly what is in effect, a push' button 28. The inner end of the push but- --.through"this block; the short bolt 48 havingv extremity which clamps .100

ton carries an insulating piece-29 which isl held in place by a'screw 30. The base has mounted thereon an -insulating block or' in any suitable manner, as by screws 32. The outer side), of disk 31 is centrally recessedat 33 and,A

disk 31, secured thereto,

radial recesses 34 extendingoutwardly from this central aperture yreceive vthe somewhat C-shaped leaves .of the springl contacts.

These contacts preferablyv consist of ase- -ries of bent bronze leaves, as shown in Fig.

3, the outermost leaf carrying a copper contact button 35; the' leaves being held in place in, theirfrecessesx34 byboltsvhereinafter referred to, which serve as'bindilig posts when needed. v I' s Within the cavity 33 is an L-shaped, substantially Hat, contact spring which is securedbeneath one contacts, designated 37,l while the other' ex tremity thereof, carries acontact button38 normally heldin tactbutton't), the vlatter being carried by the outer wing of a C-shaped *contact bracket 40, as shown in Figs. land 3. i Substantially at the a similar depending button 41,'vvhicli isnormally held out of contact with abutton 42 mounted on the exposed side of a conductive strip 43 which extends Jfrom the center of the cavity 33 to and into contact with the bracket 40 as indicated in Figs. l .and 3. Thus when theswitch cap is in place-upon Disk 9 is also notchedl i tially their entire ktremity of the casing described. Ring 52 is urged The handle is recessed as a nutj57jati'ts outer the'block, ring,

' assembled-- block, ring,

'orprotective cap 36, one end ofo vthe leaved"v engagement with a conf elbow of the member 36--is the base, and the push button is depressed, it momentarily cludes the spring 36 and bracket 40, but immediately closes the circuit bythe engagement of the contact buttons 41-42. The -release of the push button eiects a similar breaking and making of the circuit.

The base 4 is flanged at 45 and provided with a groove 46, and a cylindrical casing 47 is adapted to receive this flange into one end thereof, the edge of the casing being beveled to t the correspondingly shaped groove 46. The casing may be of liber or other lsuitable insulating material and is held in place upon the base 4 bymeans of two long bolts 48-49. The heads of these bolts bear against inwardly directed anges or ears 50 of the base4-and are disposed in a cavity 51 in the inner si Saidbolts are boththreaded. forsubstanlength; bolt 48 being-but: littlev longer xthan the casing and bolt'f491 being materially longer. for freasons hereinafter 54 similarto those of the base.4,'`previously 'into close engagement'swithfthe.:casing by #af circular 'block 55;. preferably 'of 'nsulating material,

which isilanged 'as at56 to adapt it-to bearA breaks the circuit which in.-

de of the disk31.

against the ring.' Thefbolts 48-49 extend@ l casing and base together,l on.

one sidethereof. Secured Within the Ab1 yxopposite bolt 48, is a: brass-'bushing 58. extendsjgthebolt:49, and a nut 57'- corresponding vtotfinit v57 vis threaded bears against this bush. ing, whereby -toclamp the other .sideof the casing andbase to-f..

through whichy onto bolt 49` and An insulating cover 59,' having'recesses' ;vl 57-57, overles the block 55 and is held in :l 61 threaded onto the' bolt 49. AOver this cover is an outer` cover y 62, also of insulating ma'- in its innerside for the reception ofnuts place thereon byl a/nut terial, through which extends the. extremity of. boity 49, a

nut 63 being: .screwed downthereupon and holding -saidfcap in place, so

thateven were the vnut 61 to beomitted, thev inner cover 59 would .stilll beretained `against displacement by the outer cover or lcap, the flange 64 of the latter engaging the rabbettededge 65 ofI the .inner cover. This for a shortdistance, as at 66,.to permito-fthe egress of the high flange 64 -cut vawaytension .lead .and 'other connectionsv therebeneath. j-'Ihe block 55 isy for .the reception of abrass stud'67 -havingasmall bore 68 lextending therethrough. UA portion of the shank 'of vthis stud is threa for engagement with alhexagonal nut 69v and.

ded

i centrally apertured 56, fact 'that'the plates thereof are at all times a cap. like nut 70. Block 55 is also provided with a recess 7l which extends from the cen-l ter of the block outwardly to and around the bolt 49. A strip of mica 72 of the same shape as this recess'is seated in the bottom thereof, said strip being perforated for the reception of the bolt 49 and the Unthreaded portion of the shank of the stud 67. Against this mica strip and upon said shank is a brass washer 73 abutting against whichi is a perforated blank or plate 74 of conductive material, cut, as shown in Fig. 5, so that a blunt point thereof extends toward the bolt 49. In contact with the blank 74 is a second brass washer 75, and outside of this latter is a second strip of mica 76, similar to the first; while a third washer 7 7 is pressedagainst themica strip. 76 by the'nut 69 and thereby clamps the inner washers and mica strips together. Similarly the nut 58 on bolt 49 has areduced portionupon which are disposed the Vother extremities of the mica strips and a second pointedl blank or plate 77, the strips and plate being spaced apart by, washers in the same manneras above described, and being clamped together by the nut 57. The spaced pointed plates 74-77 constitute safety-gap electrodes bef tween which a high tension discharge may take place in the event of' an excess voltage being generated fromany cause;and vthe mica strips rserve to inclose this spark -or y discharg v within the may formedby aange@ bf thebase and upon-the bolts148--49-are nuts.` 7 8 which support a pressure plate 79 against l which' is pressed a condenser 80consisting of condenser-plates 81 Separated by layers 82 of ""i mica. or the' like;fthe plates I.being wrapped in vavsuitable linsulating and waterproof V covering F83. A second and .similar condenser 84 is'presse'd against the yrst byra second pressure plate 85 slidably mounted on bolts 484-49 and held in place by -nuts 86 on the respective tie bolts. 48--49.' -These .condensers per se form no' part of the presv ent invention and maybe ofany well known construction; thefessenti'al'pointrtol be con-- sidered in connectionl therewith being the pressed as closely together as lpractically possible, owing to the manner which they vare mounted'in the device. .I

alsopositioned in the container creasing 47, the magnetic core-89 thereof'consisting of laminas iof soft',.iron`,-'eac hv ironfsheet being .650' substantiallyvTsshaped, as shown inFig. 8;

the Stems of-theTsextendi'ng alternately in f o'p'posite directions.- Each lamina is perfo` f-.qnratedzsothatfit maybe st rung upon-the .tie i' :1 boltsif48'-.49 4and the'entire coil is. readily assembled-by inserting the-stems of the Ts 1f-*heilzame aperture. insisted-Mainline and 'the advantage of holding theicondenser plates or foils under pressurethereby is obivious'in-view of the tendency forthe com;l ionentsIifazcondenser, when hot, as they 115 therebydeereasing the 'condenseiijfcapaeity ,with the 48--49, the block 55v is applied, and the re-A maining parts in their obvious order. yNuts 57--57 when screwed down compress thev lamin together through the instrumentality of sleeves 93, while these-assembled core in' -turnsupports itsl windings. Thus the as-` 85 semblyor disfassembly ofthe various parts is madeexceedingly easy and one unskilled inthe use of tools can remove a winding which has been electrically .perforated bri. has otherwise become shortcircuited, 'bythe use merely 'of a wrench.

The constructionof the laminated '.coreiii fi i the manner described not only aids assem. bly and .dis-assembly :of the device, but gives a very uniform ymagnetic field and the open air spaces around 'theheads .ofthe T-shapedlaminae. In this connecting it may be noted that itis desirable to -per f forate ,or evento Aquite widely aperture the wallsfof the tubular container. or casiii 47, I

as indicated at 94, to permit of a freecircwY I lationfofair about'the magnetic corewhere! by to maintainthe latter quitecool when Onda?? .windings may, ofcourse,- be formed by'windingthe `wires thereof on-a form.. i

The .pressure lates 79 'and .esiogether' constitute, -in e ect, a condenser retainer,

ecome in use, to spread apart andgppen up,

- Electrical connectz'onaflteferring to Figs.

2, 3 and 6, and assuming'rst that current vAn'iiidiictiongcoil comprising a primary-- winding I87. and .Secondaryffwinding 88 is f is'supplied to the apparatus from. the armature of 'a'=lnfiagne to 95, the switch handle in tion .marked-M; Current flows lfrom the armature'via a' lead .'96 to vpost 97, thence with the generaldescr'iption ofthe C-shaped '.sprin .contacts in the switch. A*Thecorre' spon 'n bolt to any given one'of thesev contacts as for convenience beendesignated Sleeves `93 are then pushed down over the bolts -9o Y greatly facilitatesheat.radiationzowingto .-i'o l' ist" me mm1 8S usedito eindig me cate the contact, but the bolt designating number has in each case been primed. Thus the contact carried by bolt 99' is marked 99, and since this contact is in engagement with the contact segment 12 of the selector disk 9, owing to the position of the switch, current flows to contact 100, which is also in engagement with saidv segment. `Thence it passes to the corresponding bolt 100', where it branches, a portion traversing wire 101 to the binding post 102 and from thence back to an insulated bracket 102 (which co-acts with a grounded lever 103') via wire 103; while the remainder passes by way of a bridge 104 over to post .105' and to the corresponding contact 105. The latter is in engagement with `switch segment y11 which also engages contact 37 previously referred to. Current hence flows through the bolt 37' of the latter, wire 107 and the primary coil 87, to tie-bolt 49 which may i conveniently be directly connected to the primary, as at 108 (Fig. 1). A wire 109 may be connected to the tie-bolt 49 by clamping it between the nut 63 thereof and a binding nut 110, so that the bolt 49 itself constitutes a binding post; and wire 109 leads back to the grounded frame -of the magneto at 1.11. The condenser 80 is in shunt across the primary being connected to bolt 49 by a. connection 112, and to lead 101 by a vire 113.

` The secondary 88 may be connected at one terminal thereof to ground via bolt 49 and wire 109, while the other secondary terminal is connected by a line wire 114 withlthe stud 67, said wire preferably extending up into the smallbore 68 in the stud, and being secured therein in any suitable manner.

The wire 115 leading to the usual distributer or like part may be clamped between the nuts 69 and 70 and the boss 116 of the insulating cover 59 which substantially incloses said nuts is preferably grooved or slotted on one side thereof as at 117 for the reception of this wire.

When the system is on the battery circuit, switch handle 8 will be moved to the right, as viewed in Fig. 2, to the position marked B. At such time segments 11 and 12 will respectively engage contacts 118-105 and 106--119. The current will flow from the battery 120, in such case, via wire 121 to post 122, over wire 123 to post 119', contact 119, segment 12, contact 106, post 106', bracket 4,0, contacts 38-39 (the latter when the push button is not pressed inwardly, or through contacts 41-42 when said button is in its innermost position), spring 36, post 37', wire 107, primary 87, bolt 49, wire 109 to ground at 111. T hence from ground at lever 103 to insulated bracket 102, and then via wire 103, post 102', wire 101, post 100', bridge 104, post 105', segment 11, post 118',

position, the battery circuit will be interrupted at 118 and also at 119; while the magneto circuit will be open at 99'.

In the secondary, should a destructive or excessive voltage be developed for any reason, the safety gap between the electrodes 74-77 will permit ofv a discharge directly across from the stud 67 (which is in contact with electrode 74) to the grounded tiebolt 49 which is in electrical connectionwith electrode 77.

Assuming now that the secondary wind-v ing has become perforated or that for any other,reason it be desired to dis-assemble portions of the structure. The nuts 110 and 63 are unscrewed, permitting of the removal of the outer cover 62. Then the removal of nut 61, frees the inner cover, exposing nuts 57 and 57', which when removed permits the Withdrawal of block 55 and ring 52. Thereafter the casing 47 may be slipped olf, as also the sleeves 93, permitting the ready removal of the entire induction coil.V The alternate laminas, being no longer pressed together, may be pulledapart, freeing the windings. This leaves the switch base, through bolts 48-49 and other attached parts, together with the condensers, undisturbed. The condensers obviously may then be removed; while the switch cap can be separated from the base without disturbing the parts carried upon the other side of the latter, if desired. Thus the device is as a whole exceedingly compact, substantial and simply held together. The heavy windings, core, condensers, insulating block, retain-ing ring and protective covers are all rigidly held together by the through bolts or tierods, which are directly connected to the strong metal base, so that there is no tendency to break away or become loose as the result of vibration. f

The respective `ioints between the'metal base, ring 52 and the casing are waterproof and tend to prevent any warping of the latter; while substantially no deforming stress Y injury.

No wax or the like is anywhere employed in the construction for sealing or closure purposes, while in the event of a breakdown of the coil windings, which it may be here 1 .ed thereto,

stated are assembled in a heat-proof compound, it is unnecessary to lose even the iron core, the injured winding alone being removed.

Having thus described my invention, what claim is y 1. In ignition apparatus of the class described, a base, a tie-rod connected thereto, a condenser, pressure plates supported by said tie-rod and adapted to co-act therewith for applying pressure to said condenser, and an induction coil having a magnetic core, said core also mounted on said tie-rod and supported thereby.

2 In ignition apparatus of the class described, tlie combination of an induction coil and tie -rods adapted to support said coil, a base mounted on said tie rods adjacent to said coil, a contact block mounted on said base said block carrying switch contacts, a housing for said contact block, means carried by said housing and having contacts adapted to engage said switch contacts, a casing for said coil and means co-acting with said tie rods for holding said casings against said base, substantially as described.

In ignition apparatus of the class de scribed, a base, a conductive tie-rod connectan induction coil carried by said tie-rod, an electrical connection between a secondary winding of said coil and said rod, an insulating block mounted on said tie-rod, a high-tension' terminal carried by said block, and safety gap forming means electrically connected to said terminal and said tierod.

4. In ignition apparatus of the class described, the combination of an induction coil having high and low tension windings, and connections therefor, tie rods adapted to support said coil, a base attached to one end of said tie rods, a contact block mounted on said base and carrying switch contacts, a terminal block carried by said tie rods on the opposite end from said base, said terminal block having a terminal adapted to receive the end of said high tension winding, said low tension winding being connected to a. contact on said contact block, a cover for said contact block and means within said cover adapted to co-act with said contacts to control the connections to said low tension winding, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. In ignition apparatus of the class described, a base, two tie-rods connected thereto. said rods being of unequal length, a tubular casing adapted to be placed under compression in the direction of its axis by said tie-rods, an induction coil in said casing carried by said tie-rods, said base being disposed at one end of said casing. a closure for the other end of said casing, a terminal carried by said closure, means carried by said rods for holding said closure in scribed, a base,

l of said casing,

place, and a protective cover over said terminal, the'longer of said tie-rods extending through said protective cover, and means c0- acting with said extended tie-rod for holding said cover in place.

In ignition apparatus of the class detwo tie-rods connected thereto, said rods being of unequal length, a tubular casing adapted to be placed under compression in the direction of its axis by said tie-rods, an induction coil in said casing, said base being disposed at one end of said casing, a closure for theother end of said casing, a terminal carried by said closure, means carried by said rods for holding said closure in place, and a protective cover over said terminal, the longer of said tie-rods extending through said protective cover, and means co-acting with said extended tie-rod for holding said cover in place.

7. In a device of the class described, a base, a tie-rod connected thereto, a casin means c o-acting with said tie-rod for holding said casing and base in assembled relationship, electrical apparatus disposed in said casing and carried by said tie-rod, said apparatus electrically connected to said tierod, one end of the latter being provided with means whereby to constitute it a binding post.

8. In combinationha casing, electrical apparatus in said casing, a closure for one end a terminal forsaid apparatus carried by said closure, a base, connections between said base and closure, a cover for said closure and a portion of the terminal carried thereby, an auxiliary cover over the cover first mentioned, and means coacting with one of said connections for holding both of said covers in place.

9. In combination, a casing, electrical apparatus in said casing, a closure for one end of said casing` a terminal for said apparatus carried by said closure, a base, connections between said base and closure, a cover for said closure and a portion of the terminal carried thereby. an auxiliary cover over the cover first mentioned, and means co-acting with one of said connections for holding both of said covers in place, said auxiliary cover having a lateral aperture therein.

10. In combination, a casing, electrical apparatus in said-casing, a closure for one end of said casing, ratus carried bysaid closure, a base, connections between said base and closure, a cover' for said closure and a portion of the terminal carried thereby, and means co-acting with one of said connections for holding said cover in place.

11. In ignition apparatus of the class described the combination of a base, parallel rods projecting therefrom, an open circuit magnetic core mounted upon said rods, primary and secondary windings of an induca terminal for said appai tiem cnil mountedv on said. cnrs and a wrap? ping of sheet'magnetic material. surrounding said core, and windingsysubstantially as. described..

12. In ignition apparatus; of the class described the combination of a base, parallel reds: projecting therefrom, a magnetic core v comprisingl'T-shaped plates alternately replates and. a Wrapping off sheet magnetic of the width of said` core surround- 'amm ing the same and the windings, substantially as described.

14. In ignition app.aratus,the combination of an induction coil, a base, therefor, a switch mounted on said base and comprising two rotary plates secured together one of which is an insulating plate, a handle on one of said plates, said insulating plate carrying contacts anda fixed plate carrying contacts coa-cting with those on the insulatingl plate;

15. In ignition apparatus of the class def scribed, a casing, heads at each end thereof, a tie-rod connecting the heads together and an induction coil and.A a condenser-supported in succession on said-I tie-rod In Witness whereof, I. subscribe .my signature, in thepresence oftwo witnesses.

RICHARD' 'EL CUNNINGHAM.

Witnesses: i l

WALDo- M; Cnam,

WILLIAM C. 

